Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Nov 03: The much-hyped Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) in Kashmir has come to an abrupt and chaotic halt after its management fled overnight, leaving players and staff stranded at a hotel over unpaid bills. The growing controversy has drawn a response from Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma, who stated he had “no knowledge” about the issue.
When questioned by reporters, Minister Sharma shifted responsibility, stating, “It is your responsibility to bring those players to meet me.”
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, the minister added that anyone involved in the matter would be “dealt with strictly.”
The crisis unfolded on Sunday when the hotel management, acting on instructions from the league’s organizers, locked all doors, temporarily confining players and staff inside due to the non-payment of bills.
Mel Juniper, a coach with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) who was also an umpire in the IHPL, confirmed the details. “The hotel was instructed this morning to lock all doors and leave all players and all staff within the building on the instruction from the league,” she told reporters. She later added that the situation had changed, with only a “selected couple of us” remaining.
Juniper explained that an agreement was reached with the hotel to allow the majority of players and staff to leave. “We have come to an agreement with the owners at this moment in time to allow the players to return home to their families,” she said. “They haven’t been paid, and it’s not fair on the players being away from their homes and their families for this long.”
Following the agreement, over 40 local and overseas players were allowed to depart. Juniper and a few others are staying behind until payment is secured. She confirmed the league’s premature end, blaming the organizers. “We did not know anything until this morning. They managed to leave late last night. We can’t play any more cricket without any bills being paid,” she stated. “This has been down to no fault of the players, the hotel management, or any of the staff. It’s all been down to the league.”
The issue gained public attention after prominent local cricketer Adil Reshi described scenes of chaos and humiliation. “We received a message on WhatsApp to check out of the hotel. It was shocking and sudden,” Reshi said. “Most players from different districts were forced to leave, while many of us waited outside, trying to understand this betrayal.”
Reshi highlighted the broken promises from organizers. “It was decided with the players earlier that we would be accommodated until the league concluded. Why were these promises broken so suddenly? Why were we treated like beggars?” he questioned.
He alleged a complete lack of professionalism, stating, “We have not even been informed about payment or seen any contract. We’ve been playing for free, with such disrespect.” Emphasizing the importance of dignity, Reshi declared he would not participate in the remaining matches. “When unprofessionalism is being sold in the name of professionalism, one must step aside.”
He also vowed to seek justice, adding, “We will see through the courts why the authorities of this Indian Heaven Premier League have been so harsh and why this betrayal happened.”
Reflecting on the league’s rapid decline, Reshi said, “It was good to see how local cricketers were participating in the initial matches. However, with concerns rising inside the management, most players now feel deeply dissatisfied.”
The league featured eight teams: Gulmarg Royal, Ladakh Heroes, The Pulwama Titans, Srinagar Sultans, Kishtwar Giants, Jammu Lions, Patniput Warriors, and Uri Panthers. To boost its profile, the IHPL had recruited international stars like Chris Gayle, Imran Tahir, and Martin Guptill, alongside Indian players such as Parvez Rasool and Saurabh Tiwary.
A senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has since distanced the government from the event, stating to news agency KNO that the Council “has nothing to do with the league, as it is a privately-run event.” The official confirmed that the Council only provided the ground for a fee and that the Jammu and Kashmir Government was not involved.
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